Lead System Engineer - PostgreSQL DBA

EPAM is a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and development services. We are committed to having a positive impact on our customers, our employees, and our communities. We embrace a dynamic and inclusive culture. Here you will collaborate with multi-national teams, contribute to a myriad of innovative projects that deliver the most creative and cutting-edge solutions, and have an opportunity to continuously learn and grow. No matter where you are located, you will join a dedicated, creative, and diverse community that will help you discover your fullest potential.

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Lead System Engineer specialized in PostgreSQL DBA to drive high-impact database initiatives, optimize performance, and ensure the reliability of our enterprise-scale PostgreSQL environments. The ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional technical leadership, innovative problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset to work across teams and guide database strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced PostgreSQL engineering, architecture design, performance optimization, and automation initiatives
• Ensure high availability, scalability, and security of PostgreSQL environments at enterprise scale
• Drive continuous improvements, modernization, and automation across PostgreSQL infrastructure
• Collaborate with development, product, cloud, and infrastructure teams on strategic database initiatives
• Architect, configure, and manage complex PostgreSQL deployments, including clustering, replication, and distributed environments
Lead major version upgrades, migrations (On-Prem
• Cloud), consolidation, and patch cycles
• Design and implement HA/DR solutions such as streaming replication, logical replication, and failover tools
• Perform advanced performance tuning using EXPLAIN ANALYZE, query plan tuning, index optimization, and parameter tuning
• Design and optimize backup/restore strategies using pgBackRest or enterprise tools
• Analyze transaction bottlenecks, locks, vacuum overhead, WAL tuning, and large-scale performance issues
• Plan and execute capacity forecasting and scalability improvements
• Ensure database security measures like encryption, credential rotations, and audit readiness
• Partner with development teams on schema design, stored procedures, and data model optimization
• Review database deployment plans, participate in CAB meetings, and ensure smooth releases
• Develop and maintain architecture diagrams, best practices, and documentation
• Lead automation efforts using scripting, configuration management, and DevOps practices
• Mentor L2 DBAs and provide technical leadership during major incidents

Requirements

• 9+ years of strong PostgreSQL DBA experience, including enterprise-level operations
• Deep understanding of PostgreSQL internals, including WAL behavior, vacuum/autovacuum tuning, MVCC, indexing strategies, and partitioning
• Expertise with replication methods such as streaming, logical, and cascading, alongside failover and DR architectures
• Advanced performance tuning skills using logs, performance views, system statistics, and query plan analysis
• Profound experience with pgBackRest for PITR, restore troubleshooting, and recovery scenarios
• Proficiency in Linux administration and scripting with Shell and Python
• Experience leading major incidents, migrations, and architectural discussions
• Working knowledge of at least one additional RDBMS: Oracle, MS SQL, MySQL, or MongoDB
• Communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• English language proficiency at an Upper-Intermediate level (B2) or higher

Nice to have

• Experience with cloud-native PostgreSQL platforms like AWS Aurora, RDS PostgreSQL, GCP Cloud SQL, or Azure
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL extensions such as PostGIS, pg_partman, TimescaleDB, and pg_stat_statements
• Experience with HA tools like Patroni, repmgr, Pacemaker, or Corosync
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for database deployments
• Expertise with large-scale OLTP/OLAP PostgreSQL systems
• Possession of PostgreSQL or EDB certifications

We offer

• Opportunity to work on technical challenges that may impact across geographies
• Vast opportunities for self-development: online university, knowledge sharing opportunities globally, learning opportunities through external certifications
• Opportunity to share your ideas on international platforms
• Sponsored Tech Talks & Hackathons
• Unlimited access to LinkedIn learning solutions
• Possibility to relocate to any EPAM office for short and long-term projects
• Focused individual development
• Benefit package:
  • Health benefits
  • Retirement benefits
  • Paid time off
  • Flexible benefits
• Forums to explore beyond work passion (CSR, photography, painting, sports, etc.)